The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-11-23
EQUALITY OF SEXES.
Mrs. Bssohsr Answers 9 QUESTION Of Intsrsst
to Everybody.
A Comparison OF the sex.s Fooli,h-A
Vigorous Fling at a Certain
GLASS OF Women.
written Especially for the sentinel.


been often brought before the public. By
the earnestness OF this letter one would
suppose that the writer's life here aud sal
walton hereafter depended on the answer.
We think 1t foolish inquiry. There is
no ground for any comparison as we look
at IL. They are in all respects 30 dissimi-
lar that none can be made with Justice
To talk about equality or superiority
seems the sheerest nonsense. One may as
well compare the merits OF the eye with
those OF the ear. We should be imperfect
IL either were wanted or destroyed, vet
each has its own distinct functions and
peculiarities, and OF nature that makes
any attempt TO compare them absurd.
Who thinks OF lnquiring II they are OF
equal value, OF which Is OF the most Inn
poTiance2
80 between man and woman; each have
their own distinct duties TO look after aud
perform, yet Of a character that m axes one
necessary and helpful TO the other. While
each can better perform duties that belong
TO and which are part of their own ma.
ture, yet both can work far better II they
work In unison. There is one chance for
comparison, and that Ia when one attempts
TO und ertake the work belonging TO the
other. IL may be accomplished, but will
be OF inferior value. There are many
things that man can do and do fairly
well that really belong TO woman's sphere,
and she would have performed the work
more perfectly. A man can cook, wash
iron. sew, but he will never do such work
as easily, clearly, and deity as woman
would have done. because he has stepped
out OF his place.
A woman can split wood, plough and
plant field, NOW, reap, etc but the
strongest woman will never be- an expert
or do the work as perfectly as q man could
because she Is not naturally formed for or
adapted TO that kind OF work. Why at.
tempt q comparison where there are no
substantial grounds from which to draw
an inference? What grounds would there
be for any comparison Ii a woman were 10
attempt to hew granite, builo.a stone wall,
or build house3 Her lack of physical
force as compared with mans, the deli
cacy OF her limbs, all prove that she is In
the wrobg place. She might worry
through the work If necessity compelled.
Let a man attempt the fine, delicate
work that a woman performs 30 easily, and
his great hands will be sadly awkward aud
in the way. Did you ever see q man at.
tempt to dress a newborn baby, make
point lace, or fine embroidery? He could
doubtless do these things somehow il he
must.
Did you ever see a woman split great
granite slabs, lay stone wall, raise a
house, shoe an OK or horse? She could
somehow, possibly, il driven to a point
where IL was al absolute necessity. But
is il not evident that by nature she Is not
fitted for such work any more than man
is for the more delicate artsP God, VITO
made them male and female, did not de-
sign that their labors should be of the
same nature. He did mean them to work
in loving unison, but each taking their
own natural part In such labors as are APP
pointed for them.
Most'of the duties in a sick room are
more appropriate work for a woman than
for man. But when 1t comes to the
most critical part OF a physicians work,
demanding firm neves and strong hand,
would anyone feel as safe under woman's
hand ns In that OF the stronger sex2 Who
can feel willing that a woman, with her
finer organization and more sensitive
nerves, should attempta critical surgical
operation when one false stroke, one Sec
self-possession would be fatal? But when
the most tender care, the most delicate at
tention and nursing are needed, at times
when life seems asst passing away, woman
is then absolutely necessary, Once in an
age. perhaps, man may be found who
with strength and firmness combines all
the skill and tender, soothing care of a
woman, but this is not often seen.
In law case of great importance we
would prefer TO lesve IL In the hands OF a
man rather than in those OF the sblest
woman that any law school honored with a
diploma.
A man truly prepared and inspired to
preach the gospel will give you better
sermon than any woman with Rev" to
her name, but we know many women who
practice the virtues inculcated far more
perfectly than the preacher himself. But
both together encourage the heart and
strengthen the hands. and bring the two
nearer to the perfect pattern which their
Maker designed.
And so thorough all the varied duties of
life. 1hose who would weigh and measure
the two, who would draw comparisons as
to which has the greatest power or infu
ence, make an unjust, disagreeable piece
of work of IL, To talk OF equality or SUI
periority is great foolishDess. Each,
though totally unlike, needs the
other, and although in different positions
they stand in honor and excellence, If
faithful in the performance OF their APP
pointed duties, one as high as the other.
As q whole they are perfect. To man be-
longs the strength physically and usually
mentally; to woman, an equal power
springiDg from all gentle graces, kindly
deeds. unselfsh labor and the pure and
holy qualities that help to make home the
entrance to heaven. For O woman to
ignore or slight these sweeter, purer vir-
| tues through ambitious reaching after the
stronger but coarser power given to man is
| to scorn and throw away her birthright.
The only rivalry or comparison that Is
| not harmful should be in the endeavor to
| do the greatest good.
There is much said of injustice to wo-
man, of her feelings sighted and her
rights ignored, and unfortunately they are
| often stung to biting sarcasm or scornful
repsrtee il the possibility of women attain
| ing literary emiDence Is scoffed at, or her
pretence to masculine equality or her at
| tempts TO elevate her sex are treated with
| ridicule or contempt. We are by no
means Indifferent to any work that has for
| its aim the elevation oil woman, but we
confess that the bitter, snappish manner
| that is manifested by some who cannot
I speak of "woman's rights" without q tart
and vixenish fling at man Is exceedingly
notifying. and must in truth acknowledge
more frequently manifested by those who
claim to be the gentler sex than by man,
| whose rough, abrupt, overbearing ways
are 30 often and sharply criticised. Doubt.
less there Is often very tangible evidence oil
| this defect, and it is not attractive OF ex
| cusable. But since the days Of Queen Bess
perhaps. by dealing honestly anu impair
| tally we might find enough of these ele
ments or qualities in our own sex to estsb
lish our claims to sistsrhood, IL not Il
equality.
But admitting that these are purel,
masculine qualities, which find no re